H.E. Dr. Peter Jankowitsch gave guest lecture

Marking the beginning of a new Semester and with it a new series of guest lectures at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, Austria’s representative to the UN Security Council (New York), the OECD (Paris), and the European Space Agency, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Peter Jankowitsch, gave the faculty the honour to share his knowledge and experience this Wednesday September the 30th 2009.
After a warm welcome and a brief overview about Jankowitsch’s impressive biography by principal host and assisting guide Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic, chairman of International Law and Global Political Studies, the word was given to the guest.

In his remarkable, professional and, above all, very informative speech, former foreign minister Dr. Jankowitsch managed not only to provide some insight into to the UN and his life on the international stage, but also to talk about the role Austria plays in the Western World since 1955 and the developments it was involved in from a wider perspective.

Particularly Austria’s outstanding position as a neutral country in the UN was discussed and what big effort was undertaken again to obtain a seat in the Security Council after 17 years. H.E. Jankowitsch further put emphasis on Austria’s distinguished position as a precursor and motivator for other smaller countries, their ability to gain international attention and refocus it on issues that are not solely dominated by the interests of the superpowers – namely those of the five permanent members to the Security Council.
Austria’s capability to balance such extensive responsibility and the diplomatic limits of a nation of that size have also been subject to discussion as the part Vienna played during different historical periods has been.

Throughout his comprehensive speech, the thematic span was stretched from Austria’s peacekeeping engagement over the engagement in Sudan and Chad to the reform calls within the UN and the vision for enforcement of rule of law. No aspect in Austria’s foreign policy was left untreated. In his position as Chair of the Advisory Board of the ALR – The Austrian Air- and Space Agency, His Excellency also provided some valuable background about the Austrian Space industry and the existing niche markets in that highly specialized sector.

As Dr. Jankowitsch has ended, discussion was opened for the audience for which he kindly and comprehensively answered all the questions and comments that were brought up. Especially the current situation in the Middle East with Iran’s opaque nuclear programme and the mission of the UN to Iraq was of concern to the audience as well as the primary orientation of Austria’s foreign affairs and further the relation of the trade missions towards the diplomatic missions.

After the official part was closed, cocktails were served and a family photo was taken in the courtyard of the IMC. Furthermore students had the opportunity to easily engage in discussions with H.E. Peter Jankowitsch, who presented himself open to the dynamism of the students and explained his view on whatever political issue he was asked about.

The visit of such a politically experienced and internationally renown diplomat like Excellency Peter Jankowitsch served as an eye-opener for the students as it was once more demonstrated that also tiny Austria can make politics of worldwide impact.



Text: Julian B. 

Links:
http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-mission/austrian-mission-new-york.html
http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html